Definition

1. Noun:
   • The imitative representation of nature and human behavior in art and literature: The fundamental concept in aesthetics and literary theory describing the process of art imitating or representing reality.
   • The representation of another person's words in a speech: In rhetoric, the direct imitation or quoting of another's speech.
   • Any disease that shows symptoms characteristic of another disease: In medicine, a condition where symptoms mimic those of a different disease.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Aristotle's "Poetics" discusses mimesis as the essence of tragedy. (Aristotle's "Poetics" discusses imitation as the essence of tragedy.)
  • The patient's condition was a case of mimesis, presenting with symptoms identical to appendicitis but caused by a different issue. (The patient's condition was a case of mimicry, presenting with symptoms identical to appendicitis but caused by a different issue.)
  • The orator's use of mimesis, repeating the general's exact words, made the speech powerful. (The orator's use of direct quotation, repeating the general's exact words, made the speech powerful.)

Advanced Usage

• "Theories of mimesis": Refers to the various philosophical and critical frameworks (e.g., Plato's, Aristotle's) that analyze artistic representation.

  • Literary criticism often debates different theories of mimesis. (Literary criticism often debates different theories of artistic representation.)

• "Beyond mimesis": A phrase used in modern art and literature criticism to describe works that reject simple imitation of reality.

  • Abstract art moves beyond mimesis to express pure emotion. (Abstract art moves beyond imitation to express pure emotion.)

Variants and Related Words

• Mimetic (adj): Pertaining to, characterized by, or exhibiting mimesis.

  • The novel's mimetic quality perfectly captured the atmosphere of the era. (The novel's imitative quality perfectly captured the atmosphere of the era.)

• Mimesis is a base term; related concepts include diegesis (narration) and representation.

Synonyms

• Imitation: The action of using someone or something as a model.
• Representation: The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way.
• Mimicry: The close external resemblance of an animal or plant to another for concealment or protection (biological); or the imitation of someone's speech or mannerisms.

Related Phrases

(Note: "Mimesis" itself is not commonly used in phrasal verb constructions. It is primarily a technical noun.)

Related Idioms

(Note: There are no common idioms directly using the word "mimesis." It is a specialized academic term.)

Noun

1. the representation of another person's words in a speech
2. any disease that shows symptoms characteristic of another disease
3. the imitative representation of nature and human behavior in art and literature